With unrestrained excitement, the scientists unearthed a trove of coins and jewelry dating back approximately 1400 years, belonging to the Byzantine era.
What did the archaeologists report?
The treasure included 97 coins made of pure and dozens of jewelry pieces, including earrings inlaid with pearls, semi-precious stones, and glass.
“This is one of the five largest from that period discovered in the region. The presence of jewelry and small coins makes this find even more intriguing and numismatically significant. And this is the first such treasure found in Hippos,” said excavation leader Michael Eisenberg in an interview with Live Science. “When you find coins and ornaments that are nearly 1400 years old and look as if they are brand new, it’s a great stroke of luck,” he added.
The coins depict Byzantine emperors, starting with Justin I (who ruled from 518 to 527) and ending with Heraclius (610-641). Some coins still bear remnants of the fabric in which the valuables were once wrapped.
Among the coins are solidi—large coins with a high gold content; semisses, which were worth half a solidus; and tremisses, valued at a third of a solidus.
One of the tremisses was particularly rare. It was likely minted in Cyprus in 610 by General Heraclius the Elder and his son, who revolted against Emperor Phocas. The younger Heraclius emerged victorious and founded the Byzantine dynasty of Heraclids, which ruled from 610 to 711.
Numismatists evaluating the confirmed that this rare find adds significant information to scholars’ understanding of the political and economic history of that period.
While the reason for the treasure’s burial remains unknown, history indicates that Hippos was a tumultuous place in the 7th century. In 614, armies of the Sassanian Empire, which included Iran and parts of the Middle East and Central Asia, invaded Byzantine Palestine. According to reports, residents of the region’s Christian cities, including Hippos, buried their valuables during the advance of foreign soldiers.
For a long time, this region was a hotspot for fierce battles. In 614, the Sassanians captured Byzantine Jerusalem after a siege. However, about 15 years later, the Byzantines regained the territory. In 636, Muslim armies captured it again. After that, Hippos declined and was ultimately abandoned following an earthquake in Galilee in 749.
According to Eisenberg, researchers plan to conduct a deeper analysis of the treasure. Afterward, it will likely be put on public display. The excavation leader believes that some museums may show significant interest in these ancient gold artifacts, which should be seen by as many people as possible.